"Never mind that now, friend!" he cried. "The fire is upon us. Ah, see there!"--as the door fell with a crash and a burst of flame swept in upon them. "We have not a moment to lose. Out you go, Ralph, and hold on like a limpet! Be ready to aid your father, that is all"--as Ralph scrambled through the window and managed to find footing on a narrow ledge that ran round the house. "Now, Mr. Rexworth, prove yourself a man. If you fall, the dogs won't give you a chance. Now, sir, for Heaven's sake, try!" "I will manage it all right, my good friend," answered Mr. Rexworth. The flame and smoke had recalled him to the immediate peril. "Just a hand through, that is all." And, summoning all his reserve of strength and resolution, he managed to get from the window, aided by Mr. Charlton in the room, and somewhat supported by Ralph behind him. Cautiously holding on with grim energy, the three managed to creep back to that point from which the rescuer had first started--the top of the verandah. But this was a position of great peril now; for the flames were breaking through it, and darting from the windows above it, and the melted lead of roof and gutter hissed and spluttered. It seemed death to go on; it was death to go back. And the two hounds below had followed them round, and now stood barking up at them. "We must risk it," panted Mr. Charlton. "Let me go first, and show you how to do it. If you step on the wall you can reach the branch of the tree in three strides. It seems very dreadful, but the peril is more apparent than real. Look!" He boldly jumped to the brickwork around which the fire darted. He took three quick firm steps, and was able to swing himself into the limb of the tree, safe from the fire's reach. Mr. Rexworth followed by the same dangerous path. "Now, Ralph!" he cried. But almost as the words came the whole of the verandah, and the brickwork supporting it, fell in; and there Ralph was left clinging to that narrow protection of the wall. And the wall itself was cracking with the heat. He could not maintain his position for long. At any moment it might fall and cover him in its heated ruins. Mr. Rexworth groaned in horror; Mr. Charlton looked on in dismay; and Ralph clung there, with death behind, and death above, and death--the worst death of all, red-eyed and lolling-tongued death--beneath awaiting him! CHAPTER XXXI THE TABLES ARE TURNED "Ralph! Oh, my son!" cried Mr. Rexworth, as he saw the peril in which the brave lad stood. And the boy turned and looked at his father. "I cannot hold on here much longer, father," he said. "I shall have to drop, and take my chance with the dogs." "Wait--wait a moment, Ralph!" answered the agonized man. "Let me get down and attract their attention, and then you will have a chance." "Don't, don't father," implored Ralph. "What chance will you have with them with your arm hurt? I may manage it." "I will do it," volunteered Mr. Charlton; "I am uninjured. You stay here, sir."